Strand take-up apparatus



Nov. 29, 1960 Filed March 9, 1959 G. P. ADAMS El'AL STRAND TAKE-UP APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VE N TORS QPADAMS F/V. CROTTJ WJHVDE BYAHI'M,

NEY

Nov. 29, 1960 r v DAM r 2,962,242

STRAND TAKE-UP APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lp lm l' //V VE/V TOPS G. P. ADAMS FJV. CROTTV WJ HYDE 60 BY NOV. 29, 1960 ADAM ETAL 2,962,242

STRAND TAKE-UP APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 9, 1959 INVENTORS Cf? ADAMS EN CROTTY BY, I

W J HYDE RNEV Nov. 29, 1960 P, ADAM E 2,962,242

STRAND TAKE-UP APPARATUS Filed March 9, 1959' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTORS 6.1? ADAMS FN CROTTV United States Patent STRAND TAKE-UP APPARATUS George P. Adams, Baltimore, Francis N. Crotty, Perry Hall, and William J. Hyde,'Baltimore, Md., assignors to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 9, 1959, Sen No. 798,144

6 Claims. (Cl. 242-'1ss.4

The present invention relates to strand take-up apparatus, and more particularly, although not exclusively, to apparatus for distributing a strand uniformly upon the winding surface of a take-up reel as the strand is being wound thereon.

In the manufacture of multiconductor cables, particularly those employed in the communications industry, insulated electrical conductors are withdrawn simultaneously from a plurality of supply reels and twisted together to form twisted pairs. The twisted pairs are stranded into units which are each bound with binding material to hold the twisted pairs together. Each of the units may constitute a cable core. However, normally several units are cabled together to form a cable core and are provided simultaneously with some kind of binding to keep the units in place prior to the formation of a protective sheath thereon by appropriate means, such as extrusion appa ratus.

Usually the bound coreis directed continuously from a stranding orcabling'appar'atus to a take-up apparatus by means of a capstan. The take-up apparatus often includes. a core truck having a winding drum supported in a vertical position, and means to rotate the take-up drum about a vertical axis to wind the bound cable core thereon. However, the take-up apparatus may also be of the type wherein the core truck is mounted rotatably in a rotatable cradle so that the core truck can be rotated on its axis while the axis of the core truck is rotated. In either case, the cable core is guided to the core truck by a traverse-type distributor and is reeled on a core truck for storage or transfer to a cabling or sheathing machine. It is desirable that the cable core be distributed uniformly to lay successive convolutions of the core side-by-side throughout the width of the take-up drum, and that successive layers of the convolutions be placed one upon another until the reel is filled with the desired length of cable core.

It is customary, during the formation of many types of cables, to place a left-hand stranding lay in the core during the formation thereof which results in permanent torsional stresses therein. However, because of these torsional stresses in the cable core, resulting from the left-hand stranding or cabling lay, it has been found that the cable core tends to pile up at one end of the core truck and not at the other end. Accordingly, it has'been found desirable to introduce a time delay after the distributor reaches one end-of-travel position and before it starts to move in a reverse direction to ensure that, the last'c onvolution of cable core on .one layer is placed in position and that the succeeding convolution of cable core'forming the beginning of a second layer is wound over the preceding one. particularly to improvements in traverse-type distributors having means which will delay the reversal of the distributor a desired predetermined length of time at one or .both ends of the travel of the distributor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improvedstra'ridtake up apparatus."

The present inventionjrelates ICC It is another object of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus for distributing a strand uniformly across the winding surface of a take-up reel.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide apparatus for causing intermittent operation of the drive means for the strand distributor being used for winding superimposed layers of convolutions of strand material on a take-up reel so that successive convolutions will be placed one upon the otherat the ends of the reel;

Strand take-up apparatus for winding an advancing strand upon a rotatable take-up device embodying certain features of the present invention may include strandguide means for guiding the strand material onto the winding surface of the take-up device and means for causing relative transverse movement between the effective winding surface of the take-up device and the strandguide means for forming superimposed layers of convolutions of strand material on the take-up device. Fluid dashpot means are actuated by the relative movement between the strand-guide means and the take-up device to cause intermittent operation and a delayed reversal of the strand-guide means when the guide means' is positioned adjacent to one or both ends of the take-up device. The delayed reversal causes the strand-guide means to dwell adjacent to one or both ends of the take-up device for a sufficient length of time for two successive convolutions of the strand to be placed one on top of the other adjacent to each end of the take-up device, 1

Other objects and features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 isa fragmentary, perspective view' of a specific take-up apparatus embodingcertain principles of the pres; ent invention with portions thereof broken away for purposes of clarity;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front view of the distributor portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with portions thereof broken away for purposes of clarity;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view of the apparatus of Fig. 2, taken from the right-hand side of Fig. 2, with portions thereof broken away for purposes of clarity; j

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, sectional view of the dashpoi portion of the apparatus of Fig. 3, taken along line 4@ thereof;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, sectional view of the dashpot portion of the apparatus of Fig. 3, taken along line 5-5 thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 2, taken along line 66 thereof, and p Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 2, taken along line 7--7 thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, there is shown apparatus for taking up a cable core 10 assembled or formed with cabling apparatus (not shown) which is substantially identical to that disclosed in L. O. Reichelt Patent 1,882,902.

In the cabling apparatus, a rotatable, tractor-type cap.- stan (not shown) is utilized to place a twist in the assembled cable core 10 and to advance the core 10 at. a predetermined rate to a take-up unit, designated generally by the numeral 11. The capstan is rotatable in either direction, depending upon the'direction of twist to be placed inthe cable core 10. The cable core 10 is wound uniformly on a core truck, designated generally by the numeral 12, which is mounted rotatably in a rotatable cradle, designated generally by the numeral 13,forming a portion of the take-up unit 11. The core truck 12 and a distributor, designated generally by the numeral 14, are driven through a floating ring 16 aiiixed to the front end of the take-up unit 11, and actuated through a shalftj17 and-gear 18 by appropriate means (not shown) draulic,'retarding device (not shown) is used for controlling the speed of rotation of the core truck 12 and the amount of tension on the cable core as the cable core is wound onto the core truck 12. The core truck 12 is mounted rotatably in the cradle 13 by appropriate means, so that the core truck 12 may be rotated on its axis at the same time the axis of the core truck 12 is being revolved by the rotating cradle 13.

The cradle 13 includes a ring 19 having an external peripheral edge which is provided with herringbone teeth and a smooth offset portion 22. A herringbone pinion gear is secured to a main-drive shaft 24 which is driven by appropriate means (not shown). A ring 26', which is spaced from the ring 19, is connected thereto by an appropriate framework. The rings 19 and 26 are mounted rotatably upon a separate pair of rollers 28 and 29, respectively, secured to a foundation of the take-upunit 11. On the lower section ofthe' cradle 13, as viewed in Fig. 1, intermediate of the rings 19 and 26, there is provided a pair of rails (not shown), which are in alignment with rails secured to the foundation. An angle iron 33 is provided upon the lower section of the cradle 13 to form a stop for the core truck 12 to position the core truck 12 centrally of the cradle 13 when the core truck 12 is rolled into the take-up unit 11 from the back of the cradle 13.

The floating ring 16 is provided with external and internal peripheral teeth, and an internal peripheral groove extending inwardly of the ring 16 deeper than the base of the internal teeth. The groove is utilized to secure the ring 16 on a plurality of rollers 38-38 mounted rotatably on pins which are secured to the side of the ring 19, thereby permitting the ring 16 to float or rotate freely on the rollers 38-38. It should be understood that, if the take-tip unit 11 were started, the floating ring 16 would rotate at the same speed as the cradle rings 19 and 26. Therefore, a gear 41 and a gear train 42, which engage the inner teeth of the floating ring 16, would be carried by the floating ring 16 and there would be no motion to actuate a gear 44 and a shaft 46 to drive the core truck 12. Therefore, it is evident that only a relative movement between the floating ring 16 and the cradle ring 19 causes any rotation of the gear 41 or the gear train 42 to drive the core truck 12. By using the hydraulic retarding device (not shown) connected to the shaft 17, the floating ring 16 is caused to rotate slower than the cradle ring 19, and thus causes relative movement between the floating ring 16 and the cradle ring 19.

Distributor The distributor 14 includes a distributor plate, designated generally by the numeral 52, which, in turn, has secured thereto a bellmouth guide 53 through which the cable core 10 passes. The distributor plate 52 is mounted on guide rods 54-54 which are secured to the ring 19 by brackets 56 and 57. Adjacent to one side of the dis tributor plate 52 is an apertured projection 58 through which a movable rod 59 is positioned. The rod 59 is also mounted slidably in the brackets 56 and 57.

Locking devices, designated generally by the numerals 61 and 62 are provided at and adjacent to each end of the rod 59, respectively, for preventing the rod 59 from being moved during a predetermined portion of the movement of the distributor 14 adjacent to each of its limits of travel near the respective ends of the effective winding surface of the core truck 12. The locking devices 61 and 62 each include a spring-biased plate 60 mounted in a guideway 55. The plates 60-60 are urged transversely of the rod 59 adjacent to each end thereof to lock the rod 59 in a fixed position to permit the apertured projection 58 to push against and compress springs 63 and 64 alternately. Each of the locking devices are released by an associated beveled projecting member 65, secured adjustably to the distributor plate 52, which comes in contact with a beveled edge 72 on the associated plate 60 to move the plate in the associated guideway 55 against the action of an associated spring 73. The springs 63 and 64 are mounted adjustably adjacent to each end of the rod 59 by adjustable collars 66 and 67. When the springs 63 and 64 are compressed, energy is stored therein so that the compressed springs 63 and 64 may be utilized alternately for moving the shifting rod 59 to engage a clutch, designated generally by the numeral 68, of a beveled-gear reversing mechanism, designated generally by the numeral 70, after the clutch 68 has been disengaged by the movement of'the distributor 14.

The distributor plate 52 is moved between opposite ends of travel by means of a rotating screw 69 engaging a one-piece nut, designated generally by the numeral 71.

A lever 76, oscillatable through an arc of less than 90, is employed to engage and disengage threaded portions of the nut 71 with a screw 69. This arrangement facilitates a free movement of the distributor 14 to any position along the screw 69 in orderto permit the introduction of the cable core 10 to any desired point on the core truck 12.

The screw 69 is rotated by means of the bevel-gear reversing mechanism 70, which includes the clutch 68. Jawed clutch sections 77-77 are aflixed rigidly to oppositively positioned bevel gears 78-78 in the mechanism 70. A jawed clutch section 79, keyed slidably to a shaft 80 which, in turn, is secured rigidly to the screw 69, is provided with a peripheral groove 81 which receives a clutch fork 82. One end of the fork 82 is affixed to a lever 84, which is provided with a central pivot 85 secured suitably to thebracket 57 through a housing 86. Projecting upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, from the lever 84 is an arm 87, designed to be engaged at a free end by the free end of a tension spring 88. The opposite end of the lever 84 is secured pivotally to the housing 86 by the pivot pin 85. The other end of the spring 88 is secured to the bracket57 through the housing 86 in a manner such that the spring 88 is in alignment with the arm 87 during a portion of its travel. On the end of the lever 84,

opposite to the fork 82, is an offset portion secured pivotally to the rod 59. The clutch 68 of the bevel-gear reversing mechanism 72 is operated by energy stored up in the springs 63 and 64 when pressure is exerted thereon by the projection 58 of the plate 52 which alternately engages the springs 63 and 64. The springs 63 and 64 bear against the collars 66 and 67, respectively, to move the rod 59in either direction.

It will be understood, then, that movements of the rod 59 cause the lever 84 to oscillate, causing a toggle action whereby the arm 87 and the tension spring 88 are thrown into and then out of alignment with respect to each other. Depending upon the position of the lever 84, the tension in the spring 88 causes the lever 84 to snap the fork 82 either up or down, as viewed in Fig. 3, to slide the clutch section 79 into engagement with either of the clutch sections 77-77 affixed to bevel gears 78-78 in the mechanism 70. The bevel-gear reversing mechanism 70 is driven through interchangeable gears 93-93, one of which is mounted upon the shaft 46. The shaft 46 is driven by the pinion gear 44 which is, in turn, driven by either the gear 41 or the gear train 42, depending upon the direction of rotation of the cradle 13. By means of the interchangeable gears 93-93, the speed of the screw 69 is selected to accommodate various diameters of cable bores 10 being taken up by the take-up unit 11.

To insure that the distributor guide 53 will remain stationary at its end-ofltravel position sufliciently long to permit the cable core 10 to be wound properly upon the reel, 21 dashpot control, designated generally by the numeral 100, is incorporated in the above-described apparatus.

Dashpot As viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, it may be seen that a pair of spaced lugs 101 and 102 are secured adjustably to and about the shifting rod 59. The lugs 101 and 102 extend laterally of the rod 59 in parallel planes and are provided near the extremities thereof with circular apertures 10.3 and 104, respectively, in which a dashpot shaft 106 is positioned slidably. The dashpot shaft 106 is provided with a collar 107 secured adjustably thereto at a position between the lugs 101 and 102. The dashpot shaft 106 is positioned in the apertures 103 and 104 in the lugs 101 and 102, respectively, to permit limited longitudinal movement of the shaft 106 with respect thereto. The shaft 106 extends into a dashpot housing, indicated generally by the numeral 111. The shaft 106 rides within the dashpot housing 111 on a pair of sealing bearings 112112 and has a piston 113 secured adjustably thereto intermediate of the bearings 112112. The piston 113 is reciprocated within a cylinder 114 formed in the dashpot housing 111 by reciprocating movement to the shaft 106. The cylinder 114 is filled with oil or other suitable fluid which is used to resist the movement of the piston 113 when the piston 113 is being moved by the energy stored up in the spring 63 or 64. An arm 116 is secured at one extremity thereof to the shaft 106, and the opposite extremity of the arm 116 is provided with a circular aperture 117 which surrounds a rod 118. The rod 118 is provided with a pair of spaced collars 119 and 121 secured adjustably thereto on opposite sides of the arm 116. The rod 118 extends within a second cylinder 122 in the dashpot housing 111, and rides in sealed bearings 123123. The rod 118 is provided with enlarged, spaced, cylindrical portions 124 and 126 which are approximately the same diameter as the in- ;ternal surface of the cylinder 122. The cylinder 122 is provided with a longitudinal groove 127 extending along one side thereof. The groove 127 has been provided in the cylinder 122 because it is impractical to machine the enlarged portions 124 and 126 of the rod 118 so that no oil will escape therepast in the cylinder 122. Therefore, any oil that leaks past the enlarged portions 124 and 126, which might otherwise tend to prevent the portions 124 and 126 from moving to their end-of-travel positions will be permitted to escape therepast.

A pair of bores 128 and 129 (Figs. 4 and 5) and a pair of counterbores 131 and 132, which extend transversely of the cylinder 122 are formed in the dashpot housing 111.

Cap seals 133-133 are secured threadedly in the counterbores 131 and 132, to permit oil to be introduced into the housing 111 and to prevent oil from escaping from the dashpot housing 111. A pair of bores 136 and 137, extending transversely of the bores 128 and 129, respectively, and the cylinder 114 are provided for interconnecting the bores 128 and 129 with the cylinder 114. Another pair of bores 138 and 139 are provided for connecting the cylinder 114 with the counterbores 1'31 and 132 to cooperate with bores 128 and 136 and 129 and 137, all respectively, to form passages for interconnecting the two cylinders 114 and 122 in the dashpot housing 111.

Adjustable needle valves, such as 141, may be positioned at the juncture of the bores 128 and 136 and the .bores 129 and 137. However, since it is desirable to cause a dwell of the distributor 14 adjacent to only one end of the'winding drum of. the core truck 12, one of the valves -141 is eliminated and a member 142 is provided to. seal the outlet of the bore 137. This condition will exist when the stresses set up in the cable core 10, as a result of the r stranding or cabling lay placed thereon, cause the cable core 10 to tend to pile adjacent to one end of the core truck 12,.thus eliminating the necessity of. causing a dwelling of the distributor 14 adjacent to that end of the Qeoretruck 12.

f Ateach end of the juncture points of the bores 138 and 139 with the counterbores 131 and 132, there is provided a check valve, designated generally by the numeral 143, a ball 140 of which is urged normally, intoengagement with a seat 144 by a spring 146. A wall 147 of the dash: 'p'ot housing 111,'which separates the cylinders 114'and '122, is provided with a pair of passages 148 and- 149: extending therethrough, so as to permit direct intercone nection between the two cylinders 114 and 122 to permit the piston 113 and rod 59 to move rapidly during the snap-action engagement of the clutch 68.

Operation During the operation of the take-up unit 11, the distributor plate 52 and guide 53 are traversed back and forth across the winding surface of the core truck 12 on the guide rods 54-54, between positions adjacent to each end of the core truck. As is illustrated in the draw.- ing,fthev distributor 14 was urged by the projection 58 against the end of the spring 64 to urge the spring 64 against the associated collar 67. Since the rod 59 and attached collar 67 were prevented from moving because the associated locking device 62 was in front of the lug 102, the spring 64 was compressed. It will be assumed that a desired amount of energy has been stored in the compressed spring 64 and the associated projected member 65 has released the associated locking device 62, re; moving the plate 60 from in front of the lug 102 to permit the rod 59 to continue to move longitudinally.

The energy stored up in the compressed spring 64 will be used to move the rod 59 and cause the clutch section 79 to be disengaged from the lower clutch sections 77, as viewed in Fig. 3, thereby arresting rotation of the shaft and the screw 69. At this time the distributorplate 52 and guide 53 are no longermoved by the screw 69, therebyprecluding further pressure from being exerted by the projection 58 on the spring 64 and associated collar 67. However, during the movement of the distributor 'up to this time the spring 64 has been compressed heavily and the bias of the compressed spring 64 will result in pressure being imparted to the associated collar 67 to move the shifter rod 59 and the shaft 106 through the remaining portion of the operating cycle to cause the clutch 68 to be engaged on the opposite side and the screw 69 to be rotated in the opposite direction.

At this time it will be assumed that the oil within the dashpot cylinder 114 will be on the upper side of the piston 113, as viewed in Fig. 2, or in the cylinder 114 on the side of piston 113 toward which the piston 113 is being urged by the compressed spring 64. However, in the specific embodiment of the take-up unit 11, no dwelling of the distributor 14 adjacent to the upper end of the core truck 12, as viewed in Fig. 1, is necessary and .a needle valve 141 is not provlded on the upper side of the dashpot 100, as viewed in Fig. 3. Accordingly, the piston 113 will not be resisted by the oil in the cylinder 114, since the oil will be permitted to pass freely through the bore 137, past the member 142, through the bore 129 and into the piston 122.

The shaft 106 is moved a short distance during which time it moves the arm 116 and the arm 116 will engage the collar 121 on the rod 118. Continued movement of the shifter 106 will move the rod 118 and thus the cylindrical portions 124 and 126 longitudinally. The rod 59 and the shaft 106 will continue to move upwardly, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, to move the arm 87 into and out of alignment with the spring 88, causing asnap: action engagement of the clutch 68. Theengagement of the clutch 68 causes the screw v69 to be rotated in the opposite direction to move the distributor 14 towardthe opposite end o f'the core truck 12. 1

The distributor 14 continues to move toward theoriposite end of the core truck 12 to distribute. a layer; of

l convolutions of the cable core 10 on the core truck 12.

At a position in the travel of the distributor 14 toward the opposite end of the core truck 12, the projection-58 engages the end of the spring 63 to urge 1t agamst the associated collar 66. Since the rod 59 andthe attached collar 66 are prevented from moving in the direction that the distributor 14 is travelling by the associated loclsaeeama ing device 61, the spring 63 will be compressed. Thereafter, when a desired amountof energy has been stored in the compressed spring 63, the associated projection 65 will unlock thedevice 61 and the force exerted on the rod 59 by the compressed spring 63 moves the rod 59 longitudinally to disengage the clutch 68, thereby stopping rotation of the screw 69.

At this time the distributor plate 52 and guide 53 will no'longer move, thereby precluding further pressure from being exerted by the projection 58 on the spring 63 and associated collar 66. However, because of the fact that during the movement of the distributor 14 up to this time, the spring 63 has been compressed heavily, the bias of the compressed spring 63 will .result in continued pressure being imparted to the associated collar 66 to move the shifter rod 59 and the shaft 106 through the remaining portion of their operating cycles to cause the clutch 68 to be engaged on the opposite side and the screw 69 to be driven in the opposite direction.

However, before the clutch 68 is engaged to reverse the distributor 14, the rod 59 is moved a short distance, and the lug 101 attached thereto engages the collar 107 to move the shaft 106 and piston 113 in the cylinder 114. When the rod 106 has moved a short distance, during which time it moved the arm 116 therewith, the arm 116 will engage the collar 119 on the rod 118. Continued movement of the shaft 196 will move the rod 118 and thus the cylindrical portions 124 and 126 longitudinally. At this time the oil will be in the cylinder 114 on the lower side of the piston, as viewed in Fig. 2, and will resist the movement of the piston 113 and rod 59. However, it should be noted that the piston 113 will be able to move in the cylinder 114 since the oil will be permitted to pass through the bore 136, past the valve 141, through the bore 128 and into the cylinder 122 at a rate regulated by the setting of a graduated knob 151 of the needle valve 141.

It is during the interval that the oil is resisting move ment of the piston 113, and thus the shaft 106 and the shifter rod 59, that the time delay will be introduced to maintain the distributor guide 53 in its arrested position to permit the convolutions of cable to be placed properly on the core truck 12. The piston 113 will exert a certain amount of pressure on the oil which will, in turn, impart a pressure on the ball 140 of the valve 143 adjacent to the end of the cylinder 114 toward which the piston 113 is moving. This will tend to seat the ball 140 in a position tending to close the bores 128 and 138 and interconnecting counterbore 131, leading to the cylinder 122. However, this condition will not exist with respect to the ball 140 of the valve 143 which is adjacent to the end of the cylinder 114 away from which the piston 113 is being moved, but instead the oil will be permitted to move from the cylinder 1'22, past the ball 140 of the valve 143 and into the cylinder 114 on the trailing side of the piston 113.

The various elements of the dashpot 100 will continue to move at a predetermined rate until a position is reached whereat the enlarged portions 124 and 126 of the rod 118 will pass the passages 148 and 149 in the wall 147 separating the cylinders 114 and 122. At this time, the oil will be permitted to move rapidly from the cylinder 114, through the passage 148 and to the cylinder 122 by the pressure exerted on the oil by the piston 113. This will permit the shaft 116 and the rod 49 to move rapidly to a position whereat the clutch 68 engages one of the beveled gears 78-78 to rotate the screw 69 in the opposite direction.

It is desirable to increase the length of dwell of the distributor 14 as the diameter of the effective winding surface of the core truck 12 increases. Accordingly, a ratchet device, designated generally by the numeral 153, is provided to regulate the valve 141 each timethe distributor 14 is reversed at its lower, end-of-travel position,

as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. The device 153 includes-a bar 154 mounted slidably on the housing 111 in bearings 156--156. The bar .154 is secured rigidly to the collar 119 for movement therewith, and is provided with at least one spring-pressed pawl 157. The pawl 157 is designed to engage teeth 158158 on the outer periphery of the knob 151 of the valve 141. Each time the rod 118 and bar 154 are moved downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, the pawl 157 will cause the valve 141 to rotate and decrease the rate of flow of the oil therepast a predetermined amount to increase the length of dwell of the distributor 14 adjacent to the lower end of the core truck 12, as viewed in Fig. 1.

During the continued operation of the apparatus, the screw 59 would be reversed and the distributor guide 53 will be moving in the opposite direction. Near the endof-travel position of the distributor 14, a reversal of the above will occur.

It is obvious that, if two valves 141-141 were being utilized to cause a dwell of the distributor 14 at both of its end-of-travel positions, the other pawl 157 could be utilized to vary the setting of the second needle valve 141. However, the second valve 141 would need to have opposite-hand threads and the teeth thereon would have to point in the opposite direction.

During the use of the instant apparatus, it is content plated that, if it is desirable to utilize two valves 141-141 to obtain a delay of the reversal of the distributor 14 adjacent to both ends of the etfective winding surface of the core truck 12, the valves 141-141 may be adjusted differently sothat a different time delay may be introduced at the opposite ends of travel of the distributor guide 53-. This may be desirable, depending on the twist and thus the stresses placed in the cable core 10 during formation thereof. Further, the length of delay of the distributor guide 53 may be adjusted automatically during operation by using the ratchet device 153. Further, the valves 141141 will have to be reset when commencing at new take-up operation.

It should be understood, however, that in the illustrated specific embodiment of the take-up until 11 only one valve 141 is illustrated. This resulted from the fact that, because of the stresses resulting from a left-hand stranding lay in the specific cable core 10 being taken up, it has been found desirable to cause a delay of the reversal of the distributor guide 53 adjacent to only one of the ends of the core truck 12.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In strand reeling apparatus for guiding strand uniformly on a rotating take-up device including strand distributing means movable back and forth across the winding surface of the take-up device for guiding the strand uniformly thereon, means for driving the distributing means, and means for effecting reversal of the direction of travel of the distributing means at predetermined positions adjacent to each end of the take-up device, the improvement which comprises fluid dashpot means for regulating the reversal of the drive means for causing delayed reversal and dwelling of the distributing means adjacent to at least one end of the take-up device so that two convolutions of the cable are placed one on top of the other adjacent to each end of the take-up device, said dashpot means including a fluid cylinder, a piston mounted reciprocably in the cylinder, fluid in the cylinder to resist movement of the piston a predetermined interval of time during the operation of the dashpot means, and means for controlling the flow of fluid from in front of the piston and thus the rate of movement of the piston, and means for permitting free flow of the fluid and thus free movement of the piston during a predetermined portion of the movement of the piston.

2. In distributing apparatus for guiding strand onto a rotating take-up reel including guide means mounted for transverse movement back and forth across the winding surface of the take-up reel for forming superimposed layers of convolutions of the strand on the reel,reversible drive means for moving the distributor in timed relation ship to the peripheral speed of the winding surface 'of the reel, and means actuated by the transverse movement of the guide means for causing a reversal of the'd'rive means adjacent to each end of the reel, the improvement which comprises a mechanism for providing a delay in a-seas de the reversal of the guide means, said mechanism including resilient means, means actuated by the movement of the guide means for storing energy inthe resilient means, a fluid cylinder, a piston connected operatively" to the guide means and reciprocated in the cylinder by the resilient means, adjustable valving means connected adjacent to at least one end of the cylinder for regulating the flow of fluid to and from the cylinder, and means for adjusting the valving means automatically to vary the rate of the movement of the piston and thus delay the reversal of the guide means adjacent to at least one end of the reel for predetermined varying lengths of time during which time the guide means is held stationary so that successive convolutions of the strand are placed one on top of the other adjacent to at least one end of the reel.

3. In distributing apparatus for guiding strand onto a rotating take-up reel including guide means mounted for transverse movement back and forth across the winding surface of the take-up reel for forming superimposed layers of convolutions of the strand on the reel, reversible drive means for moving the distributor in timed relationship to the peripheral speed of the winding surface of the reel, and means actuated by the transverse movement of the guide means for causing a reversal of the drive means adjacent to each end of the reel, the improvement which comprises a mechanism for providing a delay in the reversal of the guide means, said mechanism including resilient means, means actuated by the movement of the guide means for causing energy to be stored in the resilient means, a fluid cylinder, a piston connected operatively to the guide means and reciprocated in the cylinder by the resilient means, adjustable valving means connected adjacent to at least one end of the cylinder for controlling the rate of flow of fluid from in front of the piston and thus the movement of the piston so that the guide means is held stationary adjacent to at least one end of the reel for a predetermined length of time so that successive convolutions of the strand are placed one on top of the other adjacent to at least one end of the reel.

4. In distributing apparatus for guiding strand onto a rotating take-up reel including a distributor screw mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the take-up reel, guide means engaged threadedly to and driven by the distributor screw for transverse movement back and forth across the winding surface of the take-up reel for forming superimposed layers of convolutions of the strand on the reel, reversible drive means for driving the distributor screw in timed relationship to the peripheral speed of the winding surface of the reel, and reciprocating means actuated by the transverse movement of the guide means, the movement of the reciprocating means causing a reversal of the drive means adjacent to each end of the reel, the improvement which comprises a mechanism for providing a delay in the reversal of the guide means, said mechanism including resilient means, means actuated by the movement of the guide means for preventing movement of the reciprocating means for predetermined intervals of time during the traversing of the guide means adjacent to each end of travel thereof to cause energy to be stored in the resilient means by the guide means, a cylinder containing displaceable fluid, a piston connected operatively to the reciprocating means and reeipe rocated in the cylinder thereby and by the resilient means, an auxiliary cylinder adjacent to the first-men tioned cylinder having a plurality of passages interconnected therewith, slidable means in the second-mentioned cylinder connected operatively to said guide means for closing at least one of the passages interconnecting said cylinders, adjustable valving means in at least one of the passages interconnecting adjacent ends of the two cylinders, and means operated by the'movement of the guide means for periodically adjusting the valving means automatically to control the flow of fluid between the least one end of the reel for predetermined varying lengths of time during which time the guide means is held stationary so that successive convolutions of the strand are placed one on top of the end of the reel.

5. In distributing apparatus for guiding strand onto a rotating take-up reel including a distributor screw mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the take-up reel, guide means engaged threadedly to and driven by the distrubutor screw for transverse movement back and forth across the winding surface of the take-up reel for forming superimposed layers of convolutions of the strand on the reel, reversible drive means for driving the distributor screw in timed relationship to the peripheral speed of the winding surface of the reel, and reciprocating means actuated by the transverse movement of the guide means for causing a reversal of the drive means adjacent to each end of the reel, the improvement which comprises a mechanism for providing a delay in the reversal of the guide means, said mechanism including resilient means, means for preventing movement of the reother adjacentto at least one ciprocating means for predetermined intervals of time during the traversing of the guide means adjacent to each end of travel thereof to cause energy to be stored in the resilient means by the guide means, a fluid cylinder, a piston connected operatively to the reciprocating means and reciprocated in the cylinder by the resilient means, fluid in the cylinder on the leading side of the piston for resisting the movement thereof during a predetermined time interval, an auxiliary cylinder adjacent to the first-mentioned cylinder and having a plurality of fluid passages interconnected therewith, slidable means in the auxiliary cylinder connected operatively to said reciprocating means for closing at least one of the passages interconnecting said cylinders, said slidable means being removed from the closed passage for permitting unrestricted flow of fluid from the cylinder to the auxiliary cylinder during a predetermined portion of the movement of the reciprocating means, and adjustable valving means in at least one of the passages interconnecting adjacent ends of the two cylinders for regulating the flow of fluid therebetween and to cause a delay in the reversal of the guide means adjacent to at least one end of the reel for predetermined variable lengths of time during which the guide means is held stationary so that successive convolutions of the strand are placed one on top of the other adjacent to at least one end of the reel.

6. In distributing apparatus for guiding strand onto a rotating take-up reel including a distributor screw mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis of the take-up reel, guide means engaged threadedly to and driven by the distributor screw for transverse movement back and forth across the winding surface of the take-up reel for forming superimposed layers of convolutions of the strand on the reel, reversible drive means for driving the distributor screw in timed relationship to the peripheral speed of the Winding surface of the reel, and reciprocating means actuated by the transverse movement of the guide means for causing a reversal of the drive means adjacent to each end of the reel, the improvement which comprises '11 a mechanism for providing a delay in the reversal of the guide means, said mechanism including resilient means, means for preventing movement of the reciprocating means for predetermined intervals of time during the traversing of the guide means adjacent to each end of travel thereof to cause energy to be stored in the resilient means by the guide means, a fluid cylinder containing displaceable fluid, a piston connected operatively to the reciprocating means and reciprocated in the cylinder by the resilient means, the fluid in the cylinder on the leading side of the piston resisting the movement thereof during a predetermined time interval, an auxiliary cylinder adjacent. to the first-mentioned cylinder and having a plurality of fluid passages interconnected therewith, slidable means in the auxiliary cylinder connected operatively to said reciprocating means for closingat least one of the passages interconnecting said cylinders, said slidahle means being removed from the closed passage for permitting unrestricted flow of fluid from the cylinder to the auxiliary cylinder during a predetermined portion of the movement of the reciprocating means, adjustable valvingmeans in at least one of the passages interconnecting adjacent ends of the two cylinders for regulating the flow of fluid therehetween, and means for adjusting the valving means automatically so that the mechanism serves to delay the reversal of theguide means adjacent to at least one end of the reel for predetermined varying lengths of time during which time the guide means is held stationary so that successive convolutions of the strand are placed one on top of the other adjacent to at least one end of the reel.

Phillips Oct. 12, 1886 Conner Mar. 16, 1948 

